Cancer Straight Talk
Episodes
A Message to Our Listeners
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes shares some personal news. Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk to get notified when new episodes air.See omnystudio.com/listener...
Alternative Cancer Treatments: The Science vs. The Hype
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Jun Mao, Chief of MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service, and Jason Hou, herbalist and acup...
Preserving Fertility During Cancer Treatment: Options, Costs and Success Rates
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this empowering episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks to a panel of onco-fertility experts about preserving fertility during cancer treatment. MS...
Miracles on York Avenue: Inspiring Stories from MSK Patients & Staff
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, MSK patients, caregivers and clinicians share the miracles they’ve witnessed, even in the darkest of times. From life-s...
Breast Cancer Treatment Part 2: Chemo, Hormone Therapy and Life After Treatment
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode (part 2 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to explore the complexities of breast cancer treatment and li...
How to Talk to Children about Cancer
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, Hadley Maya and Natalie Santos, about how parents who've been di...
What's Causing Cancer Rates to Rise in Gen X and Millennials?
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK physician-scientist Dr. Karuna Ganesh and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy about the troubli...
Could Popular Weight Loss Drugs Help Prevent Cancer?
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with MSK’s Dr. Neil Iyengar, a nationally recognized expert on the relationship between obesity, ...
What Everyone Should Know About Skin Cancer: Risks, Myths & Prevention
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes is joined by Dr. Erica Lee, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at MSK, to discuss misconceptions around who can...
Breast Cancer Treatment Part 1: Surgery, Radiation and Reconstruction
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode (part 1 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to demystify three breast cancer treatment options: surgery, ...
Overcoming Gender Bias in Healthcare: How Women Should Talk to Their Doctors
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, author of "All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us A...
Women in Cancer: Meet Three Trailblazers at MSK
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with 3 women breaking new ground in the field of cancer research: Dr. Karuna Ganesh studies metastasis...
Advice and Support for Cancer Caregivers
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregivers Clinic at MSK, about the need to support cancer ...
Finding Peace at the End of Life & Preparing for Death from Cancer
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes has a meaningful conversation with Dr. Alan Carver, an MSK neurologist specializing in end-of-life and pallia...
Demystifying Clinical Trials: A Comprehensive Guide to The Science of Hope
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes and Dr. Alex Drilon, Chief of MSK's Early Drug Development Service, answer the most common questions about pa...
What Makes Life Meaningful? (Encore)
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re listening back to one of our favorite episodes from December 2022. While the holidays are meant to be a season of celebration, reflection and ...
Could CAR T-Cell Therapy Be a Cure for Some Cancers?
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the revolutionary potential of CAR T-cell therapy as a possible cure for some types of cancer. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes spea...
Early-Stage Prostate Cancer: Know Your Treatment Options
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what you need to know about early-stage prostate cancer, from risk factors to treatment options and how to tackle their side effects. In this ep...
Guía para hombres sobre el sexo y el cáncer
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Spanish episode #4 | Episodio #4 en español En este episodio, la Dra. Diane Reidy-Lagunes habla con el Dr. José Flores, cirujano urológico ...
Sandy Alderson's Playbook for Cancer and Why Teamwork is Key
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with former New York Mets president and MSK patient, Sandy Alderson, along with his dedicated team of d...
Artificial Intelligence vs. Cancer
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with MSK’s Chief of Computational Oncology, Sohrab Shah, and Chair of the Department of Radiology...
George's Journey Facing Brain Cancer
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
George Kolasa was living his dream life as a fashion executive in New York City when in February 2022, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma – the most...
How to Manage Side Effects During Cancer Treatment: Fatigue, Hair Loss, Skin Care and More
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with MSK oncodermatologist Dr. Mario Lacouture and clinical nurse Sheryl Scott to discuss the most ...
What Are Cancer Vaccines? How Can They Prevent and Treat Cancer?
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with two physician-scientists researching vaccines and novel immunotherapies, Dr. Vinod Balachandr...
Katie Couric’s Cancer Journey: From Grief to Advocacy to Her Own Breast Cancer Diagnosis
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center f...
How To Manage Chronic Pain During Cancer Treatment
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to pain management physician Dr. Neal Rakesh, and neurologist Dr. Anna DeForest, about the many options...
Dating After a Cancer Diagnosis
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating the dating world after a cancer diagnosis can be tricky. From the fear of disclosing a diagnosis to insecurities around bodily changes, to ...
How Exercise Can Help Treat and Prevent Cancer
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes welcomes MSK exercise scientist Dr. Lee Jones back to the show to discuss the most recent findings about the ...
What Makes Life Meaningful?
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While the holidays are meant to be a season of celebration, reflection and spending time with family and friends, it can also be a time of anxiety, gr...
Ensayo innovador de medicamento contra el cáncer de recto: lo que significa para usted
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Spanish episode #3 | Episodio #3 en español Un reciente ensayo clínico para el cáncer de recto dirigido por Memorial Sloan Kettering ha c...
Can We Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recent research has shown that most, if not all, high grade serous ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes. With no pronounced symptoms or te...
Achieving Excellent Healthcare for All: A Candid Conversation with MSK’s President & CEO, Dr. Selwyn Vickers
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Selwyn Vickers was named President and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in September 2022. His vision of a future with equal access ...
When the Doctor Becomes the Patient: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Lewis
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Lewis was inspired to become a cancer doctor after living through the highs and lows of his father’s cancer journey. On day one of his oncology...
A Game-Changing Cancer Drug Gives Stage 4 Breast Cancer Patients New Hope
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For nearly half of all breast cancer patients – those with low levels of the HER2 protein – targeted treatment options have always been limited. P...
Reducir el riesgo de cáncer con una dieta saludable
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Spanish episode #2 | Episodio #2 en español Somos lo que comemos, y no hay duda de que ciertos estilos de vida aumentan el riesgo de padecer ...
Finding Hope and Acceptance in a Cancer Diagnosis: One Couple's Advice
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve received a cancer diagnosis. Now what? For George Kolasa, it was obvious: use his glioblastoma diagnosis for good. “I’ve been chosen,” ...
Breakthrough Rectal Cancer Drug Trial: What It Means For You
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A recent clinical trial for rectal cancer headed up by Memorial Sloan Kettering has grabbed the attention of medical oncologists and cancer scientists...
The Cost of Cancer: Advice on Insurance, Planning and Paying for Treatment
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The negative impact of medical expenses on patients is known as financial toxicity. It’s one of the most universal and devastating side effects amon...
What’s the Hash on the Little Green Plant and Cancer?
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a good pain remedy – chemically, mentally, legally? Is it better as an edible, oil or vapor? And how does one even begin to figure out do...
"Mis hijos fueron mi motivación": la lucha de una madre para mantenerse viva
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Spanish episode #1 | Episodio #1 en español En la víspera de Navidad de 2004, Belkis Chalas se enteró de que tenía cáncer del intestino d...
The Day I Couldn't Sing: Rock Star Andrew McMahon on Surviving the Identity Crisis of Cancer
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2005, Andrew McMahon was on top of the world: His rock band Something Corporate had three albums under its belt, and Andrew was busy recording the ...
A Man's Guide to Sex and Cancer
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. John Mulhall, director of Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at MSK and editor-in-chief of...
How Does Cycling Fight Cancer? Dave Linn & Ethan Zohn on the Power of Cycle for Survival
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, tens of thousands of people across the country hop on stationary bikes to raise money for rare cancer research through Cycle for Survival,...
Gratitude, Grief and Why You Don't Have to Choose
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How does one find gratitude while living with cancer? Can gratitude and grief exist at the same time? What are some tools for managing the two? Join u...
The Future of Cancer Drugs: A Conversation with Dr. Charles Sawyers
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Twenty years ago, Dr. Charles Sawyers played a pivotal role in the development of a game-changing cancer drug that has gone on to save millions of liv...
Lessons from a Stage 4 Cancer Survivor: A Conversation with Mary Elizabeth Williams
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with journalist, author and stage-four melanoma survivor, Mary Elizabeth Williams, to discuss what ...
Lung Cancer: Why One of The Most Common Cancers is Also The Most Stigmatized
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know lung cancer is more deadly than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined? Yet it gets less than half the funding. Why is that? In this...
When Life Takes a Turn: When Young Adults Get Cancer
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event for anyone, especially for adolescents and young adults who are just getting their bearings in life. In th...
Cancer and Caregivers: Navigating Stress, Worry, and Other Challenges
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Taking on the role of caregiver can be one of the most important — and overwhelming — jobs you’ll ever have. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-La...
A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Jeanne Carter, clinical psychologist and sexual health therapist, and Ashley Arkema, gynecolo...
Weight Loss, Cancer and the Role of Metabolism
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Neil Iyengar, a breast medical oncologist and MSK’s leading researcher on diet, metabolism,...
Mental Health in the Time of COVID
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK’s chair of psychiatry, Dr. William Breitbart, about the unique mental toll that a worldwide...
Cancer and Covid-19: What Patients Need to Know
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with MSK's infectious disease specialist and deputy physician-in-chief Dr. Monika Shah about the specia...
Cancer: Know Thine Enemy
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes chats with medical oncologist Dr. Juan-Manuel Schvartzman about the cellular damage that causes cancer. Can ...
Immunotherapy: Transforming How Cancers Are Treated
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to medical oncologist and scientist Dr. Jedd Wolchok and cancer survivor Grace Dunn. Together, they hel...
Sugar and Cancer: Friend or Foe?
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to medical oncologist Dr. Santosha Vardhana about sugar and cancer. What is our favorite food’s meta...
Making Every Step Count: The Role of Exercise and Cancer
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes chats with Dr. Lee Jones, exercise scientist at MSK, and Charlie Sweeney, marathon runner and cancer survivor...
Cancer Surgery 101
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK colorectal surgeon Dr. Martin Weiser. They discuss what to expect when approaching surgery, i...
A Cancer Survivor’s Guide to Chemo
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Elizabeth Cruz, a registered nurse at MSK, and Stacey Peltz, an eight-year cancer survivor and w...
Understanding the Basics of the “C-Word”: What Is Cancer?
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with medical oncologist Dr. Matthew Matasar. They drill down to the cancer basics, explaining the stag...
Facing the End of Life: A Conversation Between a Patient and her Doctor
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with her patient Christine about the difficult decision to end treatment. Watch the video of their con...
Series Preview
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Medical oncologist Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with patients and experts to help better understa...